MLB

Angel Villalona arrives, joins Giants in camp

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP)

Angel Villalona is back in the dugout, back in uniform, eager
for a new baseball life 3 1/2 years after he was charged with
murder in his native Dominican Republic.

The San Francisco Giants' former top first base prospect
declined to address his legal past - specifically, exactly what
happened.

''I'd rather not talk about it,'' he said through an interpreter
Friday. ''I just want to concentrate on playing baseball. ... I'm
here to get back to playing baseball. I'm thankful they gave me a
second chance.''

Villalona was charged in the September 2009 death of a
25-year-old man at a bar. He was freed on bond that November after
the family of the deceased asked a judge to drop the case, but
Villalona was also stripped of his U.S. visa at the time.

''I never doubted myself. I never thought that (I couldn't get
back here). I always thought I could do it, just like people here
have confidence in me,'' Villalona said.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy envisions few issues or distractions
with the arrival of Villalona, who has dropped from 290 pounds to
250 in preparation for his comeback.

The 22-year-old Villalona reported to spring training Friday and
was undergoing a physical ahead of the first full-squad workout by
the reigning World Series champions Saturday.

Last spring, Villalona had his visa delayed for what the team
was told were weight and health issues. Major League Baseball has
already reinstated him from the restricted list.

''He's coming in, I know it's been a long journey for him,''
Bochy said following Friday's workout. ''From what I gather, he's
really rededicated himself and is excited about getting another
opportunity. We're getting ready for a season, and he'll be part of
it.''

In fall 2011, Villalona dropped a lawsuit against the Giants
seeking $5 million in damages after the team decided to reinstate
him. He alleged the Giants kept him on the inactive list even
though he had been cleared of homicide charges. Villalona had
sought back wages and punitive damages.

When asked about the lawsuit Friday, he said, ''I don't know
what happened there.''

Villalona received a $2.1 million bonus when San Francisco
signed him at age 16 in August 2006. It was the biggest bonus the
franchise had ever given to an amateur player at the time.

He was considered among the club's top prospects before the 2008
season and was selected for the Futures Game during All-Star
festivities that year. San Francisco reportedly outbid the New York
Yankees, Mets, Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners for
Villalona.

He still knows many of the current members of the Giants and
vowed to meet new faces each day. But he doesn't appear ready to
stand before his teammates and say anything.

''Like what?'' he said when asked about giving a message to the
other players.

The 6-foot-3 slugging first baseman played for the Giants'
Dominican Summer League team last year, batting .303 with seven
home runs and 34 RBIs in 44 games. He doesn't know where he will
play this season.

''I will work here and go wherever the Giants assign me to go,''
he said. ''I'm very happy and I thank God for being here. I had
faith that I could, and I trained to be back.''

Villalona played in 74 games for Class-A San Jose in 2009. He
hit .267 with nine home runs and 42 RBIs.

Bochy isn't planning a sit-down or special meeting with
Villalona.

''Well, like normal, like I would any player maybe,'' Bochy
said. ''I knew when I first came here. We've got work to do, and
he'll be part of the group here getting ready for the season.''

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